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Rob Ford accuses councillors of grandstanding, then grandstands

Council approves motion to ask province and feds for help with storm cleanup costs

Toronto Mayor Rob Ford on Sunday, December 22, 2013. Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

Lauren Strapagiel

Published: January 13, 2014 - 12:58 PM

Updated: January 13, 2014 - 1:18 PM

Grandstanding, so says the dictionary, is to behave with the intention of attracting positive attentions from onlookers such as the public or the media.

This is what Toronto Mayor Rob Ford accused his fellows council members of Monday amid his own ranting, deflected questions and insistence that he was the man in charge as the city grappled with last month’s ice storm response.

Councillors pelted the mayor with questions about his leadership during the crisis, including his decision not to declare a state of emergency. Had he done that, all powers would have been transferred to Deputy Mayor Norm Kelly. Rather, throughout the storm Kelly was in communication with the province.

Ford said today he didn’t attempt to contract Premier Kathleen Wynne during the recovery because she had previously stated she would only work with Kelly.

In a heated exchange, Coun. Karen Stintz attempted to have the mayor admit that one person in charge after the ice storm would have been ideal, and therefore transferring powers to D. Mayor Kelly would have been ideal.

Rather than answer that question, Ford insisted he led the city and accused Coun. Stintz of being absent.

“You were nowhere to be found also during the 10 days of the storm,” said Ford.

“I know where I was,” Stintz shouted back.

Then, in what can only be called gaslighting, Ford asked Coun. Stintz why she was getting so upset shortly before both their microphones were turned off as Speaker Frances Nunziata told the two to calm down.

While speaking to the press during a recess for lunch, Coun. Doug Ford, the mayor’s brother, said Coun. Stintz was becoming unglued.

In November, city council voted to strip the mayor of many of his powers after a months-long scandal involving Ford’s drug and alcohol use and alleged ties to criminal elements. By law, council was unable to take away Ford’s ability to declare an emergency.

Ford has repeatedly said the city was not in an emergency and declaring one would have only caused panic.

Let me get this straight; Council declares ice storm a disaster but not enough of one to be an emergency? #DegreesOfDisaster#topoli

Today, council voted unanimously in favour of asking the province and the federal government to split the $171 million price tag for cleanup after both the ice storm and flooding over the summer. Although it seemed an inevitable result, councillors took their sweet time getting to it.

The meeting began last Friday morning, extending to the end of the shortened day at 3:30 p.m. before spilling over onto Monday’s session.

Other highlights of the circus-like atmosphere included Coun. John Parker giving up his question last minute in order to give a round of applause to city staff, Coun. Ford calling him “pathetic” in response

“This is degenerating into an embarrassing melee,” said Dep. Mayor Kelly in what may have been the most honest moment Monday morning at Toronto City Hall.